Official Show Daily • Cygnus Graphics Media
GRAPH EXPO • October 6, 2010 ■ 55 Seeking Best Technology, Meredith-Webb
Printing Custom Confi gures Sheetfed Press Ten-unit KBA Rapida 106 with coater and extended delivery makes debut in November
along Main Street in Burlington, NC. Four years ago, brothers Kelly and Tra- vis Webb were handed the reins to their father’s company, which offers services ranging from commercial printing to direct mail and packaging, “My father instilled in us the importance of com- mitting to the best technology available,” relates Kelly Webb, executive VP. “After Travers and I met with Kelly Ward, our production manager, and Wendell Robinson, our pressroom supervisor, we all agreed that the 6-color, 10-unit, 41" KBA Rapida 106 sheetfed with coaters and 12-foot extended delivery was the best equipment for our needs.” KBA is in Booth 1255.
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The press will be delivered next month. Dubbed the “makeready champion” for its 18,000 sph output and cutting edge automation, the press is equipped with
ounded in 1952 by George Webb, Meredith-Webb Print- ing continues to grow in its 140,000 sq. ft. headquarters
new technology, including the KBA Logotronic Professional management system, the KBA Densitronic combined density and color measuring system, and the Drivetronic feeder, with its pre- setting capabilities to reduce waste and allow for rapid job changes. Key components of Meredith-Webb’s
KBA Rapida 106 are its lightweight stock and heavyweight board packages, its UV capability, and its double coat- ing feature. The double coater on the press, notes Kelly Webb, will increase throughput speeds and allow jobs to be quickly coated and ready for finish- ing. The company is testing UV and aqueous coating applications as well as special drying applications. “Having a press configured this way
allows us to crossover in all three markets that we serve: commercial, packaging, and direct mail,” says Webb. “Our KBA sales manager, Sam Creel, brought us ideas on how the press could be specially built and explained how the press could
expand our customer
base. He became a true partner in our business.” While the new Rapida 106 is Meredith-Webb’s first KBA machine, management had been following KBA for years. “We would see KBA presses in opera- tion at successful print- ing companies,” recalls Kelly Webb. “You look to see what other print- ers are operating and talk to the owners. Over and over, we would hear about KBA’s exceptional service, reliability and technology.” He adds, “During the past three years,
Celebrating the new purchase,are (from left) Soren Larsen, KBA senior VP of sheetfed sales; Kelly Webb, Meredith Webb executive VP; Mark Hischar, KBA presi- dent and CEO; Travers Webb, Meredith Webb president; and Sam Creel, KBA district sales manager.
Travers and I have changed the manage- ment structure in our company—we have given our employees new opportunities and delegated management responsibili- ties with a new commitment to quality
and productivity. While other printing firms are reducing head counts, we’re adding employees. We’re continuing to build solid relationships with our custom- ers and our suppliers. It’s an exciting time for us and we look forward to installing our new KBA press this fall.”
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